During the weeklong trial, the 72-year-old victim testified she had just gotten into her car after shopping at the Stop & Shop on Kings Highway cutoff in Fairfield soon after 9 p.m., Jan. 27, 2012, when a man, dressed in a yellow jacket, began banging on her driver's side window.

She said the man was yelling for her to get out of the car and when she refused, he opened the driver's door, ripped her out of her seat and threw her to the ground.

He then drove off in her car with her purse and groceries.

A broadcast was put out of the woman's car and a brief time later it was spotted by a Fairfield police officer parked at a gas station at Iranistan Avenue and State Street here.

The officer said he approached the car with his gun drawn and Smith came out of the car holding the victim's driver's license. Police then took Smith to where the woman was lying in an ambulance and she positively identified him as her attacker.

Police said they found the woman's charm bracelet in Smith's pocket.

Police said when they later reviewed the store's surveillance video, they were able to see Smith standing outside of the store.

Police believe Smith might have been waiting to scout out possible victims.